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LB Rolando McClain has been conditionally reinstated by the NFL. What does that mean for the Cowboys?

Rolando McClain has not played the past three seasons due to violations of the league's substance abuse policy.

Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Rolando McClain (55) warms up before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, in Arlington.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)

The NFL granted Cowboys linebacker Rolando McClain his conditional reinstatement Friday from a 2016 indefinite suspension, a development that likely will lead the club to release the veteran but nonetheless requires a decision in the coming days.

McClain has not played the past three seasons because of violations of the league's substance abuse policy. The Cowboys own his rights, dating back to a one-year, $5 million contract to which they signed him three years ago.

A source said the Cowboys are exploring their options here.

Another suspended player, defensive end Randy Gregory, could warrant internal discussion, too. He's also missed substantial time for violating the substance abuse policy.

"It is my understanding that he may have filed for reinstatement," Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said Friday on 105.3 FM The Fan [KRLD-FM]. "And then it's just time that we don't control in terms of when (NFL officials) ultimately make a decision."

Roster cuts begin

At 10:08 p.m. Thursday, the Cowboys' preseason concluded, and the waiting game began.

All NFL clubs must reduce their roster from 90 to 53 players by Saturday at 3 p.m. CT. Dallas began its cuts on Friday. In the locker room Thursday, many changed out of uniform quietly, knowing a cut was coming.

Running back Darius Jackson, a 2016 sixth-round pick, knew what to expect.

That doesn't make things any easier.

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"You just come in, you watch the film, and if you get tapped on the shoulder, you go upstairs and you get cut," Jackson said Thursday with a laugh. "It's pretty self-explanatory. It's not a feeling you like. But if that's the case, you go from there. No one wants to get that tap on the shoulder. It's the worst feeling, so we'll see."

Ultimately, Jackson was among the Cowboys players who were notified Friday.

Michael Gehlken. Michael Gehlken joined the Cowboys beat for the Dallas Morning News in August 2019. This marks his 10th season covering the NFL, previously having reported on the Chargers and Raiders.